1
as in cunning
clever at attaining one's ends by indirect and often deceptive means
the movie pairs a sly, dissembling ex-con with an upstanding, straight-arrow cop
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shady
given to acting in secret and to concealing one's intentions
why, you sly fellow! I had no idea you were planning my birthday party a sly undercover police officer
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in mischievous
tending to or exhibiting reckless playfulness
a sly sense of humor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sly
The belief that art could build a life from scratch is what gives his Grofield a sly depth beneath the bravado.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
The 45-year-old actor has always projected a sort of likable, hunky lunkhead persona, giving the movies their equivalent of the campus jock that secretly had a sly sense of self-deprecating humor and theater-department chops.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
The actress was making a sly reference to her 1984 thriller Firestarter.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Solnicki has created a sly and slippery kind of film that, much like its leading actor’s grin, is hilarious and devastating in equal measure.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Okla Jones, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
The 45-year-old actor has always projected a sort of likable, hunky lunkhead persona, giving the movies their equivalent of the campus jock that secretly had a sly sense of self-deprecating humor and theater-department chops.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
The actress was making a sly reference to her 1984 thriller Firestarter.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
Solnicki has created a sly and slippery kind of film that, much like its leading actor’s grin, is hilarious and devastating in equal measure.
—Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sly
Adjective
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Fueled by vengeance and cunning ambition, Ashur rises from betrayal and bloodshed to seize power, gouging out a place for the House of Ashur in a new arena full of violence, desire, and twisted loyalty.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
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The elaborate scheme, masterminded by members of four Mafia families in collusion with celebrity athletes, ensnared unsuspecting victims, bleeding them of over $7 million through cunning deception, prosecutors said in the indictment.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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An ambitious provocation, the book calls for a single-party system of government that ostensibly gives power back to the people (even if it’s been published by a shady corporation with its own interests in mind).—
Manuel Betancourt,
Variety,
29 Oct. 2025
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Kue Lawrence delivers a chilling performance for the ages as Samuel Miller, a seventh-grade student recruited by a shady mentor (Michael Sean Tighe) to compete in the bloody contests.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Clearly, Rascal lived up to his mischievous name by finding the well in the first place.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Mykal-Michelle Harris from Raven’s Home guest-stars as Ruby, a mischievous moon imp who tricks Vee.—
Allison McClain Merrill,
Parents,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Mankinlu Maple Leaf Solar Pathway Lights As daylight starts to fade earlier, these cute pathway lights add both charm and function to your yard.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
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The easiest fix for the age-old struggle between cute and comfy?—
Mia Huelsbeck,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So sneaky that some play a deadly game of hide and seek.—
NPR,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Irish have been sneaky good after halftime all season, even during those losses to Miami and Texas A&M.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Wicker Man boasts a conclusion that is one of the most haunting and disturbing climaxes to a horror film in any era, but the inclusion of Lee as the wicked Lord Summerisle is a casting coup.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Oct. 2025
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Misiorowski had made Edman look foolish in their first matchup, getting the infielder to swing through a wicked curveball.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Featuring a subtle kick flare at the hem and chic pintuck detailing, they’re designed to hit right under the calf, or just at the ankle for petite people like myself.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
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Adding parsnips and turnips to the recipe gives the dish a subtle earthy flavor that perfectly complements the savory chicken.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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October 29, 2025 Fifteen years ago, early experiences with cannabis went something like this: a furtive glance over the shoulder while passing a joint in a parking lot, or a chaotic brownie experiment gone off the rails.—
Kate Bernot,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
29 Oct. 2025
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As a whirlwind rebel offensive encroached on the Syrian capital, Mr. al-Assad’s furtive flight out of Damascus earlier that night took his innermost circle by surprise and became the symbol of his regime’s stunning fall.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sly. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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